Liverpool and Chelsea share the points: 3 things we learned
Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield on Saturday, Nov. 25. Here are three things we learned from the Premier League match.
Liverpool and Chelsea played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday. Here are three takeaways from the match.
Liverpool return to the press
Liverpool have moved toward a more counter-attacking style for much of this season, especially against sides that sit deep against them, but the press was back against Chelsea, and to good effect for much of the match.
The Blues were clearly happy to drop off, but Liverpool did a good job breaking up their counter-attacks before they got started. But for a few exceptional moments from Eden Hazard, the home side generally pegged Chelsea back, at least until they took the lead.
That pressure didn’t translate to many clear-cut chances, such is the quality of Chelsea’s defense, but if there was any doubt before, it’s clear Jurgen Klopp still values the press as an essential part of his tactical repertoire.
That Liverpool’s pressing was so effective in the absence of some of their best pressers — Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana in particular — is testament to Klopp’s management, and a sign he’s determined to add more strings to his side’s tactical bow.
Salah and Hazard star
Not for the first time this season, Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s best player. Also not for the first time this season, Hazard was Chelsea’s. In a match that was short on clear-cut chances, the two attackers still managed to excel.
Salah’s goal brought him to 15 in all competitions, and 10 in the league, more than any other player. Marcos Alonso was his primary victim in the first half, but he looked even more dangerous when he was moved into a more central role late on.
As for Hazard, he’s definitively back to full fitness. Antonio Conte’s decision to switch to a 3-5-2 to get Hazard in more central areas is already paying dividends. While he’s always had something of a free role, he seems to be more involved when playing through the middle, and has formed an excellent connection with Alvaro Morata, even if the latter was quiet at Anfield.
Hazard tormented a fragile Reds back line in the first half, and was Chelsea’s most reliable attacking outlet, especially when the Blues were getting pegged back by Liverpool’s press. The Belgian is a stunning player, the best dribbler in the Premier League by far, and one of few players in the world capable of retaining the ball so gracefully under pressure.
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Substitutes make a difference
There was no shortage of talent on the bench today. Liverpool had Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane to call on, while Conte turned to Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro as his side chased the game in the second half.
Chelsea’s bench proved to be more decisive. Fabregas flashed his passing range, and helped give the Blues a foothold in the game after they went behind, while Willian scored the winner. The Brazilian probably didn’t mean it, but Conte deserves credit for the way he adjusted after going behind.
With Liverpool leading, Klopp had less need to turn to his attacking stars on the bench. As it turned out, Georginio Wijnaldum was the first man he called upon. The Dutchman had some nice touches, but if his introduction was meant to secure the three points, it didn’t work.
The more encouraging sub was Lallana, making his first appearance of the season after a long injury layoff. He didn’t create much, though he had a few nice touches, but with a busy holiday schedule coming up, he offers Klopp some much-needed, and high quality, depth.